Team England announced the 31-year-old double Olympic and world champion, who was due to go for gold over 5,000 and 10,000 metres in Glasgow, had made good progress on his recovery from a recent illness, but had withdrawn to focus on getting back to full fitness in time for next month's European Championships in Zurich.

The news is a major blow to the Games, coming the morning after they launched with a spectacular opening ceremony at Celtic Park.